Title: The Boleyn Inheritance
Author: Philippa Gregory
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis: The story of the rise and fall of Henry VIII's fourth and fifth wives, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard.
My Thoughts
After the last book I read, (see review below) it was so refreshing to start a book that I could just not put down. There are so few novels about Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard and, as usual, Gregory really creates relatable characters from what information history has provided her.
The story is told from three first-person perspectives, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and lady-in-waiting, Jane Boleyn (Anne Boleyn's sister-in-law). This allows the reader to get a complete view of how events unfolded and give depth to each of the women. The true terror of the people at court is also made quite apparent throughout the novel as well. Henry VIII's madness is in full swing during this part of his life so everyone around him fears for theirs.
The author really works to humanize these women and show that they are more than the terrible things King Henry and history have said about them. She gives reasons for why they may have acted as they did.
I have read many of Philippa Gregory's novels, all of them good, but this may be my favorite so far. As I have said before, I knew the fates of Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard before I started reading, but somehow Gregory builds suspense and endears the reader to the characters so you begin to wonder if maybe it will end differently.
I would recommend this to anyone who is intrigued by the Tudors, enjoys a good story, and/or appreciates interesting female protagonists.
Enjoyed this novel as well? Not so much? Feel free to comment below!
To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Philippa Gregory, visit her website linked above.
After the last book I read, (see review below) it was so refreshing to start a book that I could just not put down. There are so few novels about Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard and, as usual, Gregory really creates relatable characters from what information history has provided her.
The story is told from three first-person perspectives, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and lady-in-waiting, Jane Boleyn (Anne Boleyn's sister-in-law). This allows the reader to get a complete view of how events unfolded and give depth to each of the women. The true terror of the people at court is also made quite apparent throughout the novel as well. Henry VIII's madness is in full swing during this part of his life so everyone around him fears for theirs.
The author really works to humanize these women and show that they are more than the terrible things King Henry and history have said about them. She gives reasons for why they may have acted as they did.
I have read many of Philippa Gregory's novels, all of them good, but this may be my favorite so far. As I have said before, I knew the fates of Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard before I started reading, but somehow Gregory builds suspense and endears the reader to the characters so you begin to wonder if maybe it will end differently.
I would recommend this to anyone who is intrigued by the Tudors, enjoys a good story, and/or appreciates interesting female protagonists.
Enjoyed this novel as well? Not so much? Feel free to comment below!
To buy this book from amazon now, click on the image at the top of the post.
To see more from Philippa Gregory, visit her website linked above.
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